Genesis 33:3-7

3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down.

7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

Genesis 33:3-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 33

In this chapter we find Esau meeting Jacob in a friendly manner, contrary to his fears and expectation, having set his family in order in case of the worst, Ge 33:1-4; putting questions to Jacob concerning the women and children with him, who make their obeisance to him as Jacob had done before, Ge 33:5-7; and concerning the drove he met, which was a present to him, and which he refused at first to take, but at the urgency of Jacob accepted of it, Ge 33:8-11; proposing to travel with him, unto which Jacob desired to be excused, he, with the women, children, and flocks, not being able to keep pace with him, Ge 33:12-14, and to leave some of his men with him to guard him, which Jacob judged unnecessary, upon which they parted friendly, Ge 33:15,16; and the chapter is concluded with an account of Jacob's journey, first to Succoth, then to Shalem, where he pitched his tent, bought a field and built an altar, Ge 33:17-20.

Cross References

• 1. ver 6,7; S Genesis 17:3; Genesis 18:2; Genesis 37:7-10; Genesis 42:6; Genesis 43:26; Genesis 44:14; Genesis 48:12; 1 Samuel 20:41
• 2. 2 Kings 5:10,14
• 3. S Genesis 27:41-42
• 4. S Genesis 29:11; Luke 15:20
• 5. S Genesis 27:27; Genesis 45:14-15
• 6. S Genesis 18:3; Genesis 48:9; Psalms 127:3; Isaiah 8:18
• 7. ver 2
• 8. S ver 3
• 9. ver 2
• 10. S ver 3
• 11. S Genesis 30:24